Fluorescent lights: Leave on or turn off?

Q Does it take more electricity to start the fluorescent lights in the laundry room or garage than it takes to keep them burning? My husband I disagree about this. I want to turn them off; he wants to leave them on.

A Turn them off. Starting up a fluorescent lamp takes a bit more energy, but only for a fraction of a second. And switching fluorescent lamps on and off shortens bulb life a little, too. But together they aren't enough to justify leaving lights on when they're not needed. Environmentally and economically, it is best to shut off lights of any kind when not needed.

You might hear the recommendation to leave fluorescent lights on unless you're going to be gone for more than 15 or minutes. Ignore it.

It's based on a calculation of the trade-off point involving the cost of replacing a lamp if it's switched on more often, increased energy use at start up and the cost of operating the light. All fine and good on paper, but it's not practical advice.

Time gets away from us and lights end up being on longer than that; in a basement, burning lights can be forgotten for days.

Unless they're on a timer, or a vacancy sensor so you're sure they'll turn off at that "tipping" point, turn lights off when you leave a room. Turning off lights when not in use is a good habit, in the long run.

Ya, Christmas stays around longer in Sweden Q I was told it's a Swedish custom to leave the Christmas tree and decorations up until Jan 13th. And then they throw the tree out the window. Is that true?

In Sweden, the Christmas tree isn't decorated until Christmas Eve or a little bit before. Then it's left up through Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, until the 20th day of Christmas, Jan 13th. In Sweden, that day is called tjugondag Knut, or 20 days after Christmas.

In a celebration, julgransplundring, or the "plundering of the Christmas tree," decorations are taken down, including handmade ornaments of woven baskets or containers containing candy and goodies that are eaten.

The tree is then thrown out the door or window.

Good buy in bad times A couple of years ago, before the Great Recession, people seemed to have lots of money. New houses were popping up all over, existing ones were being upgraded. Equipping these new dwellings demanded lots of new appliances. Prices reflected the times; they were climbing.

Much has changed. There aren't so many new houses, or remodels, and consumers have zipped their purses shut. There goes the demand, and the prices; they are dropping.

And, federally-funded rebates for energy efficiency might knock another $250 off the washer's price. (Dryers don't qualify for the energy rebate, they are basically unchanged. Except, perhaps, that they are cheaper, too.)

If you need a new washer, now is a good time to unzip your purse and buy it. Not only is it cheaper right now, but an efficient new washer will also save you money every time you use it. And, you're contributing your own little tickle to stimulate the economy.